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Cheesy Ricotta and Beef Stuffed Manicotti

A comforting dish of manicotti stuffed with a creamy blend of ricotta, mozzarella, and savory ground beef, topped with marinara sauce and baked to perfection.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 2400
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Pasta and Sauce
  • 12 pieces manicotti shells
  • 1 cup marinara sauce For layering and topping the manicotti
Cheese Filling
  • 1 cup ricotta cheese
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese Half for filling, half for topping
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Meat Filling
  • 1 pound ground beef Preferably 80/20 lean-to-fat ratio
Spices
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • Salt and pepper to taste
Other
  • 1 piece egg Used in the filling
  • Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Prepare a baking dish by spreading a thin layer of marinara sauce on the bottom.
  2. Boil the manicotti shells according to the package instructions until they are al dente. Drain and let cool.
Filling
  1. In a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium heat. Drain excess fat.
  2. In a mixing bowl, combine cooked ground beef with ricotta cheese, half of the mozzarella, Parmesan cheese, egg, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
  3. Stuff each manicotti shell with the beef and cheese filling, placing them in the prepared baking dish.
Baking
  1. Spread the remaining marinara sauce over the stuffed manicotti and sprinkle the rest of the mozzarella on top. Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes.
  2. Remove foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden.
Serving
  1. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired. Serve warm and enjoy.

Notes

Avoid overcooking the manicotti shells. Season the beef mixture adequately and be careful not to stuff the shells too tightly. Always remove the foil before the final baking for a bubbly top.